US fertility rate hits record low

The shift toward later childbearing means that more births are now occurring among women aged 30 and older, but not at a rate high enough to offset the overall decline.

Experts point to multiple factors, including increased access to contraception, economic concerns, and changing social norms regarding family size.

The current rate is now well below the level needed for the population to replace itself without immigration.

This demographic shift poses long-term challenges for the labor market and social security systems.